---
The black Maybach pulled up to the side entrance of Elva Allure, purring like a lion just fed.
The early morning sun gleamed against the polished glass panels of the building.
As the driver opened the door, Su Meilin stepped out, fresh and composed.
Her navy-blue suit hugged her figure, perfectly tailored to her elegant yet domineering aura.
A pair of sleek heels clicked against the marble floor as she walked with purposeful strides.
—
On the way, she had stopped at the luxurious Le Rêve Hotel, taken a quick shower, and changed.
—
At the glass entrance, her assistant Lu Anran was waiting, phone clutched tightly in hand, biting her lip nervously as she spotted her.
"Are they ready?" Su Meilin asked curtly.
Lu Anran nodded quickly. "Yes, CEO. They're waiting."
The two women headed toward the elevator.
Employees along the corridor bowed respectfully, and Su Meilin offered them a tight, practiced smile.
—
The elevator doors opened, and they stepped inside.
Su Meilin turned to Lu Anran. "Did they bring the samples?"
"Yes," Lu Anran replied, but then hesitated. She glanced sideways, unsure if she should speak.
Her hands were already clammy. "CEO Su… do you think… it's really safe to push the product? I mean, if people find out it isn't—"
The icy glare she received froze the rest of her sentence in her throat.
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Su Meilin snapped. "The product is certified. Are you suggesting otherwise?"
Lu Anran swallowed hard. Her heart raced. That glare… It made her want to disappear into the floor. "N-No, of course not. I apologize."
"Good."
The elevator dinged as they arrived on the top floor. The heavy doors slid open, revealing the pristine white hallway leading to the conference room.
—
Inside the conference room, the product team members sat silently, their eyes flickering between one another.
The moment the CEO entered, they all stood in unison.
"CEO Su."
Su Meilin took the seat at the head of the table with regal grace, crossing one leg over the other.
"Show me the product samples," she said crisply.
Zhao Wen, the team leader, rose and handed her two items—a facial mask and a serum.
The packaging was minimalistic yet elegant, shimmering in soft gradients of rose gold and ivory.
Su Meilin turned them over in her hands, nodding slowly.
"Beautiful. Excellent presentation."
A small smile touched her lips, but Zhao Wen's expression remained strained. He hesitated before speaking.
"CEO Su… if I may…" he started, voice careful, "I think we shouldn't release it yet. The formula isn't complete. It is undergoing clinical testing. There are side effects—serious ones. If we launch it now, there's a risk of skin burns, and worse… disfigurement. The chemical concentration—"
"—has been minimized," interrupted Su Meilin sharply. "I already paid you for that. What's your point?"
Zhao Wen took a breath. "Even if minimized, the core ingredient is unstable. Long-term exposure could lead to serious skin damage. We should finish the process first. Final testing would only take two weeks—"
The air in the room shifted.
Su Meilin's face froze.
She placed the sample down slowly, her expression unreadable. "You think I don't know how business works, Zhao Wen?"
He met her gaze, swallowing his anxiety. "I'm not questioning your understanding, CEO. I'm questioning the ethics. Even with the effects minimized, especially the serum; it's dangerous. We could get sued—worse, people could get hurt. We should refine it for at least another month—"
Chen Yu; his assistant ,stood up suddenly, smirking. This was his moment.
"Zhao Wen, are you saying the CEO wants to harm people? That she's deliberately putting customers in danger?"
His voice rang out across the room, earning startled glances.
Zhao Wen turned to him, eyes narrowed. "I'm saying it needs time."
Chen Yu shook his head dramatically. "Every product has side effects. Even the top brands. Some people's skin just reacts badly. It's not the product's fault. That's why disclaimers exist."
Su Meilin looked at Chen Yu.
Her lips curved into a cold, approving smile.
"Finally, someone who understands."
Her gaze returned to Zhao Wen. "Did you hear that? Every product has side effects. We're not miracle workers."
Zhao Wen clenched his fists under the table. He had seen this coming. The way she dismissed ethics… everything for reputation.
It was dangerous. Reckless. Ruthless.
"Even so," he said quietly but firmly, "this isn't just a slight rash or redness. This is chemical reaction. It can scar people. This is illegal, CEO Su. If you won't stop the launch, then I want no part of it."
Su Meilin stood abruptly, slamming her hands on the table.
"You dare walk away? Do you know who I am?"
Her voice was sharp, cold, each word a whip crack in the room.
Zhao Wen met her eyes, refusing to flinch. "Yes. You're someone with power. But power doesn't give you the right to ignore safety. If you insist on releasing this, I... I resign."
Gasps echoed through the room. The other team members stiffened in their seats, not daring to speak.
Su Meilin pointed at the door, her voice like ice.
"Then leave. You're fired."
The room froze. Everyone stared.
Zhao Wen straightened. "Very well. I don't need this job."
He removed his company badge and placed it on the table. "I'd rather walk away than be part of something unethical."
Gasps rippled through the room.
Without another word, he walked out. Silence swallowed the room.
—
Su Meilin looked around slowly. "Anyone else want to leave?"
No one moved.
She turned to Chen Yu. "Congratulations. You're the new team leader. Pick your assistant."
Chen Yu beamed. "Thank you, CEO! I won't let you down."
"I want the product launched tomorrow. Anran, inform the relevant departments."
"Yes, CEO," Lu Anran murmured.
Her eyes flickered toward the door where Zhao Wen had left. Somewhere deep in her chest, guilt pricked her. She had admired Zhao Wen.
He had principles. But in Su Meilin's world, principles were suicidal.
"Yes, CEO," Lu Anran replied, trailing after her.
—
Outside the room, Su Meilin stopped. "Make sure Zhao Wen doesn't get hired anywhere in the Capital or even neighboring provinces. I want his name ruined."
Lu Anran nodded again, though her fingers trembled slightly.
"He'll learn not to cross me."
---
Back in the conference room, Chen Yu turned to the rest of the team with smug confidence.
"What?" he asked mockingly. "Miss Zhao Wen already?"
The team looked at each other.
"Too bad," he said, shrugging. "Now, head to the factory. Time to prep for tomorrow's launch."
As he strutted out, a quiet murmur started among the remaining members.
"She really doesn't care if people get hurt," someone whispered.
"But what can we do? She's engaged to Liang Yexuan. No one can touch her."
"Still… it feels wrong. This product could destroy someone's face."
"She'll destroy more than that. She's aiming to destroy GlowVine."
Another sighed. "What can we do? If the CEO doesn't care, it's not our responsibility."
A few nodded silently. In a place like this, survival meant silence. Morals were luxuries.
---
Across the city, Lin Yue stepped off the bus and adjusted her bag. The air was warm, the sun hanging lazily in the sky.
She hummed to herself softly, lips curving with quiet happiness.
As she neared the company entrance, a sleek black Aston Martin Valkyrie skidded to a stop in front of her, tires whispering against the pavement.
Startled, Lin Yue paused.
Four tall men in matching black suits stepped out in perfect sync, their faces expressionless behind dark glasses.
They walked toward her in silence, the air around them dense with intent.
Lin Yue's heart skipped.
"What… what's going on?" she asked cautiously, taking a step back.
The men didn't answer.
---